Getting from Andros to Ikaria

If you are heading to Ikaria from Andros you are making your way from the northernmost island in the Cyclades to one of the world's Blue Zones, a mountainous island in the eastern Aegean where people live measurably longer than almost anywhere else on earth and the local explanation tends to involve sleeping late, eating well and ignoring schedules.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Andros to Ikaria. Getting there means taking the ferry from Andros to Rafina, which runs up to 11 times daily and takes around 1 to 2 hours, flying to Athens and then taking the Piraeus to Ikaria ferry, which runs around 3 times a week and takes around 7 to 11 hours. Ikaria has two ports, Agios Kirikos in the south and Evdilos in the north, so check which port your ferry arrives at before booking accommodation as the mountain road between them takes well over an hour.

Getting there by air

Ikaria has its own small airport with connections from Athens running around 3 times a week. Andros has no airport. Taking the ferry from Andros to Rafina, flying to Athens and then Athens to Ikaria takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. Check the schedule carefully as flights are limited. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Andros to Rafina, fly to Athens and then fly to Ikaria. Check the schedule carefully as flights are limited and do not run daily. Build flexibility into your plans once you arrive. Ikaria runs on its own schedule and that is entirely the point. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Andros to Rafina, drive to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Ikaria ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.